Antisubluxation device.



H. 0. BUSWELL.

ANTISUBLUXATION DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 15, 19W.

1,294,393. Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

H.E-ELIEWE1L HOWARD C. BUSWELL, OIEYJEFEERSON, IOWA.

ANTISUIBLUXATION DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented ,Feb. :18, 1919 Application filed August 15,1917. Serial No; 186,393.

2 b all whom it may concern:

vBe itknown that I, HOWARD C. BUswELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Jefferson, in the county of Greene the same into its correct position.

and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in iintisul luXation Devices, of whichthe following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a device for correcting the subluxation of vertebrae, such as frequently found in the spinal column.

It is wellknown to those skilled in the art that thespinal column is made up chiefly tilages and various nerves, and that many prolonged diseases or disorders of the human body directlyattributable to the subluxation of the vertebrae, or, in other words, to the moving of the vertebrae out oftheir normal axis.

Such defects in the spinal column have been corrected by exerting sudden impacts against the dislocated member and snapping This release, however, is very ften only temporary as there is nothingthat holdsthe subluxated vertebra in its correct position until the cartilages and the muscles are suiliciently set to permanentlycorrect the subluxation.

The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a device for application to the spinal column for moving the subluXated member back into its correct p0- sition, and for holding said member in such positionuntil the-cartilages and the nerves assume their'normal and natural proportions and positions to retain the subluxated member permanently in its correct position.

The present invention also embraces a structure embodying certain features of adjustment to adapt the-device tovarious sizes of vertebrae and to the various spacedapart positions of the same I found in different spinal columns, thus providing a device which is adjustable andwhich is adapted for universal use. p

The invention still further aims at "the provision of a device for gradually moving thesubluxated member into correct position so that violent or sudden impact is not required, and s0 that-the members may be gradually returned into correct ahnement withoutdiscomfort or pain to the patient.

The above, and various other objects and advantages of this invention will be in part ..described,.and in part understood, -froni-.the

following detailed. description f the-present preferred embodimenuithe same. beingi'illustrated .111 wherein:

the accompanying 'idrawing Eigure 1 isanouterside elevation of a Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the same taken on a plane indicatedbynthe line 2-2 of Fig; 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section-takensubstantially centrally through the device on a planeindicated by the line 33 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a; detail view of the adjusting meansemployed.

In the drawing, 10 and 11 designateapair of'slightly arcuate plates which are held in suitably spacedapartrelation by a. pair of adjustable screws 12 arranged at the -opposite end portionsof-the plates. 1 The'pla-tes '10 and llareprovided intermediate'ly with relatively large registering apertures 13, and the end portions of the outer plate-'10 and curvedinwardly at the conca-ved side of-the plates on' a smaller-arc than the radius of curvature :of the maj or portion of 'theplate. The inner plate 11 iscurved outwardly; at its end portionsftozlie: fiat thercat againstthe-back. Theend portions of the plates-lOand 11 form-sockets-liiito which are fitted rounded heads or balls'15.

- Stems 16, Y threaded throughout r, their length, are threaded diametrically through 'the'balls 15 and projectat opposite ends through relatively wide verticallyextending "slots 17 formed in the inner and outer plates '10 and 11 in the socket portions thereof.

The slots 17 formed in the outer plate 10' are spaced apart a greater distance relativelytothedistance betweenathe slots 17 in theji'nner platell, and the stems 16-0011- verge inwardly toward eachother atthe convex side of thedevice, andthe balls 15 project into the slots 17 for holding the balls from displacement.

Presser plates 18 are swlveled upon the inner ends of the stems 16 and are preferably relatively small, and may be of any suitable configuration.

The presser plates 18 are preferably formed with :concave abutting faces, and may be provided with a cover of felt or the like, as indicated at 19.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, one end of the device may be provided with a pair of the presser members arranged near the top and bottom portions of the plates 10 and 11, a1'1d having the stems 16 thereof engaged in vertically extending superposed slots 17. The presser members are adapted for movement toward and from .each other in the slots 17 at said end of the device, and the adjustment is effected, and the members are held in suitablespaced apart relation, by the provision of a connecting rod 20 being oppositely threaded at its opposite ends and engaging in threaded relation through the upper and lower heads 15 of the presser members. -The intermediate portion of the rod 20 is provided with a knurled thumb nut 21 which fits in a recess '22 formed in the outer plate 10, and which may be turned for moving the pressure members toward and from each other. i

At the opposite end of the device, a single pressure member is preferably employed, the same being located in a horizontal plane between the horizontal planes of the pairof spaced apart pressure members, and the stem '16 thereof engaging at opposite ends through the openings 23 which correspond to'the slotsT17.

The device is adapted to be supported against the back of the person by a belt or the like, and'one means of retaining the 'device'in position is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 1n the present embodiment a preferably flexible sheet 24:, of can- '.vas, felt, rubbcror other suitable material orcomposition is fitted over the outer plate 10 and is providedwith a relatively large opening 25. therein adapted to disclose the outer free ends of the stem 16 of the pressure members, the latter being curved, and

admitting access thereto for adjusting the stems longitudinally through the balls or heads'15; The plate at is provided at opposite ends with tongues 2-6'0r the like upon which buckles 27 may be mounted, and suitable belt straps 28 may be secured through the buckles as shown for binding the device against the back of the wearer. The covering 24 is held to the outer plate 10 by the provision of tabs 29 carried upon cover 24E and which engage through; openings 30 formed in the upper and lower edge portions ofthe plate 10, the tabs 29 being'held in' place by buckles 31 or the like which are carried upon the covering 24:.

In use, the device is'fitted against the back and against the spinal column. The pair of pressure members mounted upon one side of the device engage-s against an alternate pair of the vertebrae A of the spinal column, and

mediate o'fthe pair of pressure members at the single pressure member located interthe opposite end of the device engages against an intermediatespmous process subluxated vertebra B. W hen the device is secu'red tight against the back of the patient,

thus readily seen that the sublaxation or deformity of the spinal column may be readily corrected, and permanently cured as the dislocated member B is gradually moved into correct position and held'in that position until the muscles and cartilages set sufficiently for holding theparts in true alinement without the use of the device. The ad justing rod 20 moves the pair of pressure members into correct registry with the alternate pairs of vertebrae A depending the spacing apart of the same. The spherical shape of the balls or heads 15, in connection,

with the slots in the plates through which the stems 16 extend permit of a greater amplitude of adjustment of the pressure members and also of more minute and exact adjustment. 7 V

The device is relatively simple in. construction, comprises few parts, and may be accurately adjusted to meet the varying conditions found in column.

It is of course understood that the above specifically described device is only one embodiment of the present invention, and that various changes and modifications may be the correction of the spinal ion made in the details of construction and de-. l

sign of the device without departing from the spirit of this invention; such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims;

1. 1n a devicefor the correction of sun. luxation of the spinal vertebrae, the combi nation of a support, means for securing the support against the back of the patient,

pressure elements carried upon one end of the support for engagement against alternate spaced apart vertebrae, and a single pressure element'carried upon the opposite end of the support for bearing against the intermediate dislocated vertebra, and means 7 ment against alternate and intermediate vertebrm, and means for advanclng said 7 pressure members toward and from the vertebrae when in position, and means for simultaneously adjusting the positions of iao the alternate vertebrae @pressing members with respect to each other.

In a device for the correction ofsubluxaposite ends of the.supprorts,lballs mounted ister withspaced 1 alternate vertebrae, the

in said sockets, stems adjustablyzengaging throughtheballsfand projecting inwardly from the. support, pressure plates mounted on the inner ends ofuthestemsand adapted ior engagement against the spinal" vertebrae,

means for adjusting the balls at one end of the platetoward and from eaclrother to regpressure member at theopposite, end of the support being verticallytoffset from the ad justable pressure members.

4. In a device for the correctionof subluxation ofrthe,spinalcvertebrae, the combination of a pair of plates, means for retaining the plates in=spaced-apartrelation,-said plates being formed with sockets between the opposite ends thereof, a pair of vertically spaced-apart balls mounted in the sockets at one end of the plates, stems threaded through the ball and adapted to project inwardly from the plates, pressure plates mounted on the inner ends of the stems, a single ball mounted in the socket between the opposite ends of the plate and in ofiset relation to the balls at said first ends of the plates, a stem threaded through the offset ball and projecting inwardly therefrom, a pressure plate upon the free end of said second stem, and mean for holding the plates against the back of a patient with the pair of pressure plates against one side of the spinal column in register with alternate spaced vertebrae, and with the single pressure plate in register with an intermediate dislocated vertebra.

5. In a device for the correction of subluxation of the spinal vertebrae, a support, the combination of a support, a pair of pressure members mounted on one end of the support and including heads adjustable from and toward each other, a rod threaded in opposite directions at opposite ends engaging in threaded relation through said heads and having a finger engaging portion intermediate the ends of the rod to turn the same and move said pressure members toward and from each other, and a single pressure member mounted in the opposite end of the support in vertically ofiset relation to said pair of pressure members, said pressure members being adapted for adjustment to register with alternate and intermediate vertebrae of the spinal column.

6. In a device for the correction of subluxation of spinal vertebrae, a pair of vertebrze pressing members, carrying heads for said members, a rod having its end portions oppositely threaded and threadably engaging through said carrying heads whereby the heads Will-be moved in opposite directions '.upon rotation of the'rod.

7. In a device for the correction of subluxation of spinal vertebrae, carryingheads, vertebrae pressingamembers adjustably car- 1 ried. by said heads, a rod having its end ,-;portions oppositely threaded and threadably engaging through said carrying heads whereby the heads will be moved in oppo-v site directions upon rotation of the rod.

8. In a'device for the correction of subluxation of the spinal vertebrae, supporting plates, carrying-heads adjustably carried by said supporting splates, stems threaded through said carrying heads, vertebrae-press;

.ingtmembers swivelly connected to *saidl stems, arod having ltSBIlClqPOI'tlOIlS oppositely threaded and .threadably engaging ,through saidcarrying heads whereby the heads will be moved in opposite directions upon rotation of the-rod.

9. In a device for the correction of subluxation of the spiral vertebrae, the combination of a pair of plates, means for retaining the plates in spaced apart relation, said plates being formed with sockets between the opposite ends thereof, a pair of vertically spaced apart balls mounted in the sockets at one end of the plates, stems threaded through said balls and adapted to project inwardly from the plates, pressure plates swivelly mounted on the inner ends of said stems, and means connecting said balls to simultaneously move them toward or from each other.

10. In a device for the correction of the subluxation of the spinal vertebrae, the combination of a support, means for securing the support against the back of the patient, pressure elements carried upon one end of the support for engagement against alternate spaced vertebrae, and means for simultaneously adjusting the position of said pressure elements.

11. In a device for the correction of the subluxation of the spinal vertebrae, vertebrae pressing members, a rod having its end portions oppositely threaded, and means connecting said rod and said pressing members whereby the members will be moved in opposite directions upon rotation of the rod.

12. In a device for the correction of the subluxation of the spinal vertebrae, the combination, of a support, means for retaining the support against the back of a patient, carrying heads carried by said support, vertebrae pressing members adjustably carried by said heads, a rod having its end portions oppositely threaded and threadably engaging through said carrying heads whereby the heads will be moved in opposite directions upon rotation of the rod.

13. In adevice for the correction of the subluxation of the spinal vertebrae, the combination, of a support, means for retaining the support against the back of a patient, vertebrae pressing members adjustably can ried by said support, a rod having its end whereby the members Will be moved in op portions oppositely threaded, means connectlng said rod and said presslng members posite directions upon the rotation of the I rod, and a single pressing element carried bythe support in opposed relation to the first named pressing elements and intermedlate them for bearing against the verte- "brae intermediate of thevertebrae engaged by the first mentioned pressing members.

14. In a device tor the correction of subluxation of the spinal vertebrae, the combination, of supportingplates provided with slots, carrying heads adjustably carried by said supporting plates, stems threaded through said carrying heads and engagingmoved in opposite directions upon rotation of the rod.

15. In a device for the correction of the subluxation of the spinal vertebrae, superposed supporting. plates provided with a".

plurality of pairsof alining slots, spherical carrying heads carried'by said supporting plates, stems threaded through said carrying heads and engaging in said slots, vertebrae presslng members swivellyconnected to said stems, said slots acting as guides and limits for the adjusted movement of said spherical carrying heads and said stems.

HOWARD O. BUSWELL;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, i q

' Washington, D. 6. 

